Renee Brechtel

Renee Brechtel is an educator and violinist from Des Moines, Iowa. Having grown up an Iowa native and starting the violin at three years old, Ms. Brechtel is dedicated to being a part of cultivating and growing the diverse music scene in Des Moines. Ms. Brechtel began her university career with full-ride scholarships at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, studying with Felicia Moye. She then continued her undergraduate studies with Prof. Moye at the Schulich School of Music at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, again earning full-tuition scholarships and placing in top positions in the orchestra and chamber music programs. Ms. Brechtel completed her studies in May 2016 with a Bachelor’s degree in Violin Performance. During her time at both universities, Ms. Brechtel studied and performed with Felicia Moye, Axel Strauss, Richard Roberts, Philip Chiu, Parry Karp, James Smith, and many others. She has also performed with the Montreal Symphony, McGill Symphony Orchestra, McGill Opera Orchestra, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, Des Moines Symphony, Central Iowa Symphony, Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony, and Fort Dodge Symphony.

Ms. Brechtel has been teaching violin since 2010 and has held private studios in both Des Moines and Montreal. Having experience teaching both children and adults, she enjoys sharing her love of music with both beginner and advanced students of all ages. Currently, Ms. Brechtel runs a private studio out of her home, holds faculty teaching positions at the Des Moines Symphony Academy and Drake University, and subs with the Des Moines Symphony. She also enjoys performing locally with chamber music groups, bands, and churches in the Des Moines and surrounding areas. Ms. Brechtel is passionate about nurturing an environment of excellence, community, and positivity through her teaching and is committed to being a part of enriching the lives of young musicians through the violin and music of all genres.